Nectarine tree named &#39;NECTARANGEL&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree denominated ‘NECTARANGEL’ has fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet white flesh, with a slightly red pigmentation into the stone cavity and a star-shaped red pigmentation around the stone cavity, and an attractive luminous and homogenous skin with a very high percentage of purple red blush on skin surface, on a red background.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2013/3067 filed on Dec. 2, 2013 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Prunus persica (L.) Batsch var. nucipersica.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘NECTARANGEL’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of whitenectarine tree, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch var. nucipersica, which hasbeen given the variety denomination ‘NECTARANGEL ’.

This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alterationboth on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very goodeating quality, clingstone white flesh fruits with a slightly redpigmentation around the stone and into the stone cavity, for freshmarket at the end of July or in August in the Pyrénées-Orientalesdepartment, France.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘NECTARANGEL’ white nectarine tree originated from a cultivated areaof the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where itwas tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on theMediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry.The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hoursof sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but itsintensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/orquality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations areirregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount ofrainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found inSpring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitationsoccasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

‘NECTARANGEL’ was provisionally designated, tested and geneticallyidentified by a genetic profile, under number 02.9E.125.11.

The ‘NECTARANGEL’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated bygrafting on a “INRA® GF677” rootstock trees. It has been determined tohave unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy forcommercial fresh fruit production.

There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forthabove on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained trueto the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruitwere transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in LesRégalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE,Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproducedby grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘NECTARANGEL’ white nectarine tree bloomsat the beginning of March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientalesdepartment, France. More particularly, in 2012, it bloomed between March10 and March 19, and between 2^(nd) and 16^(th) of March, 2013. Theblooming period is considered early to medium. However, it was observedthat its late date of blooming seems to be highly dependant on climaticconditions.

The first fruit of ‘NECTARANGEL’ ripens generally during the month ofJuly or early in August. The ripening period is considered medium tolate. However, it was observed that its date of maturity seems to behighly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph that shows a close view of leaves andbranches of the new variety in orchard, the branches bearing fruits.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph that illustrates typical specimens of thefruit of the new variety ‘NECTARANGEL’ at ripening time.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph that shows three typical specimens of thefruit of the new variety, one of them having been cut in half with thepit being left in one of the halves for depicting fruit skin, fruitflesh, stone and stone cavity of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at differentdevelopment stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and thereproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the flowers,stones and fruits depicted in these photographs may or may not beaccurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘NECTARANGEL’ is high, dueto fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared tosemi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shootis present excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginningof flowering is considered early to medium; flowering begins at thebeginning of March. The type of flower is showy with medium to largepetal size. Petals are medium pink. Leaf glands are present and round.The fruit flesh is white generally with a star shaped red pigmentationaround the stone cavity. A red pigmentation is also present into thestone cavity. The fruit skin is very thick, with a luminous andhomogenous red purple blush on a red background. The stone is clingstoneand his size is medium to large. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, veryaromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘NECTARLOVE’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,419),‘NECTARANGEL’ variety blooms approximately at the same period orslightly earlier, namely 1 or 2 days earlier. The fruits of‘NECTARANGEL’ variety ripen generally about 1 week later than‘NECTARLOVE’ fruits. The maturity of ‘NECTARANGEL’ variety is consideredmedium to late. The fruits of the new ‘NECTARANGEL’ variety have a verygood appearance in terms of finish, size, color.

Compared to ‘NECTARDREAM’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,420) variety, thefruits of ‘NECTARANGEL’ variety ripen approximately 1 week earlier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of white nectarine tree, the following was observed ontrees in their third growing season (second year of production) underthe ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near thetown of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observationshave been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were “INRA®GF677” trees. All major color code designations are by reference to TheR.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal HorticulturalSociety of Great Britain.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Generally. — Considered large. The tree size the first            year was approximately 200 to 280 cm. The tree was pruned            during each following dormant season to a height of            approximately 250 cm. Current season shoots growth could            reach 80 cm. The tree size from the second year (second and            next years) reached a final height of 330 cm including            current season shoots length. The tree size is consistently            reduces to 250 cm the next years.        -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The            whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,            with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0            meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was            about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by            hectare.        -   Vigor.—Considered strong.        -   Productivity.—Very Productive and regular, every year. Fruit            set is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit            into the desired market sized fruit. The number of the fruit            set varies with the prevailing climatic conditions and            cultural practices employed during the bloom period, and is            therefore not distinctive of the present variety.        -   Bearer.—Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered            homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1            year. Thinning of 2 fruits out of 3 was necessary for the            tree valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during            the years of observation.        -   Form.—The ‘NECTARANGEL’ variety has naturally a semi-flared            to semi-upright shape.        -   Density.—Considered dense.        -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in            France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central            Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.            Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling            requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours            showed a good behaviour of the tree in all cases. No damages            were caused by ascertained temperatures as low as −12            degrees Celsius in winter. The tree was also very resistant            to frosty springtime weather.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 6.0 and 6.5 centimeters in            diameter when measured at a distance of approximately 30            centimeters above the soil level.        -   Bark texture.—Considered slightly rough, with lenticels.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present. The number of            lenticels reaches 4 or 5 lenticels per cm². The lenticels            range in size from approximately 4.0 to 7.0 millimeters in            width, and about 2.0 millimeters in height.        -   Lenticel color.—The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey            color (RHS Grey 201 C), whereas the inside is considered            brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 A or RHS Greyed Orange 165 B).        -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a grayish color (RHS Greyed            Green 197 A to RHS Greyed Green 197 B) slightly darker than            lenticels color.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are            considered medium for the variety.        -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.            The current season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 6.0            millimeters, and mature branches have a diameter from 15.0            to 23.0 millimeters.        -   Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old            has no furrowed appearance.        -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but            the crotch angles are generally between 50 degrees and 60            degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular            characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,            however.        -   Current season shoots.—        -   Internode length.—Generally between 20.0 and 28.0            millimeters.        -   Color of mature branches.—Medium brown (RHS Grey Brown N 199            C).        -   Current seasons shoots.—Color. — The color of new shoot tips            is considered light green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A to RHS            Yellow Green 144 B) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas            the upper part is darker and colored in brown-purple to red            purple (RHS Greyed Red 178 A to RHS Greyed Red 178 B or RHS            Greyed Purple 183 A), depending on the level on the tip.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered large for the species. The ratio leaf            length/leaf width is 3.69.        -   Leaf length.—Approximately 165.0 to 205.0 millimeters with            leaf petiole. The medium length is about 180.8 millimeters.        -   Leaf width.—Approximately 39.0 to 57.0 millimeters. The            medium width is 49.0 millimeters.        -   Leaf base shape.—Concave.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Leaf tip form.—Short, pointed and acuminate.        -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. — Green (RHS Green 137 A).            Lower surface. — A lighter green (RHS Green 137 C) than the            upper leaf surface color.        -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.        -   Mid-vein.—Color. — Light green, almost cream white (RHS            Yellow Green 145D). The color may evolve with maturity.        -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.        -   Form: Considered slightly dentate.        -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In            this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or            two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).        -   Leaf petioles.—Size. — Considered medium. Length. — About            9.0 to about 13.0 millimeters. Diameter. — About 2.0            millimeters.        -   Petioles color.—Upper petiole surface. — Light green (RHS            Yellow Green 145 A). Lower surface. — Light green (RHS            Yellow Green 145 C).        -   Leaf glands.—Size. — Considered small to medium. Their            length is about 1.0 millimeter. Number. — Generally 2 glands            per leaf. Type. — Round. Color. — On young leaves, leaf            glands color is considered a light green (RHS Green 145 B).            On older leaves, leaf glands color turns to a dark brown            (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to RHS Grey Brown 199 B).        -   Leaf stipules.—Generally. — No leaf stipules were observed.            But as seen in the characteristic relative to the leaves            uniformity, it is possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or            3, with a normal-size leaf and smaller ones.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. — At pre-floral stage of            development, the floral buds are conic in form with a round            tip. Their form is evolving until blooming, with variables            dimensions. Just before blooming, floral buds are            approximately 9.0 millimeters wide and approximately 18.0 to            20.0 millimeters long. Color. — This characteristic is            dependent upon the proximity to bloom. At pre-floral stage            of development, the bottom of the flowers buds, formed by            the sepals, is of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183            A to RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Greyed Purple 187 B or            RHS Grey Brown Group 199 A near the base). The corolla,            formed by the petals, is generally of medium pink color (RHS            Red Purple 65 B or RHS Red Purple 69 C). Petals color shows            an evolution until the end of flowering.        -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.            No winter injury was noted during the last several years of            evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,            with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in            January. The current variety has not been intentionally            subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed            a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42            degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and            30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.        -   Date of bloom.—The blooming time generally begins early in            March. The first bloom was observed on Mar. 10, 2012.        -   Blooming time.—Considered early to medium in relative            comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in            the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of            full bloom is observed generally at the middle of the            blooming period. The date of bloom varies slightly with            climatic conditions and cultural practices. Thus the full            bloom was observed in 2012, from March 10 until March            19,from March 2 until March 16, 2013 and from February 20            until Mar. 3, 2014.        -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 10 to 15 days. This            characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic            conditions.        -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type            flower.        -   Flower size.—Considered large. Flower diameter at full bloom            is approximately 28.0 to 34.0 millimeters.        -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately between            35 and 40 flowers per meter, with a good distribution and a            high rate of fruit set.        -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per            node, occasionally 1.        -   Petal size.—Generally. — Considered medium to large.        -   Length.—Generally 21.0 to 23.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Generally 17.0 to 19.0 millimeters.        -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.        -   Petal count.—Generally 5.        -   Petal texture.—Smooth, soft and glabrous.        -   Petal color.—Both surfaces of the petal are colored with a            medium Pink (RHS Red Purple 65 B to RHS Red Purple 65 D)            when young, becoming slightly darker until the end of            blooming.        -   Fragrance.—Sweet.        -   Petal claw.—Form. — The claw is considered to have a            triangular form, narrower at the base. Length. — About 2.0            millimeters. Width. — About 1.0 millimeter at the base.            Color. — Purple red (RHS Red Purple 73 B to RHS Red Purple            73 C)        -   Petal margins.—Generally considered slightly wavy, sinuate.        -   Petal apex.—Generally. — The petal apices are generally            round-shaped, curved.        -   Flower pedicel.—Length. — Considered medium to large and            having an average length of approximately 3.0 millimeters.            Diameter. — Considered average, approximately 1.5 to 2.0            millimeters. Color. — Light green (RHS Yellow Green N 144 A            to RHS Yellow Green N 144 B).        -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. — Smooth and glabrous.            Color. — The inner surface of the calyx is green yellow (RHS            Yellow Group 13 A to RHS Yellow Group 13 B or RHS Yellow            Orange Group 17 A or RHS Yellow Green 150 A to RHS Yellow            Green 150 B). The outer surface of the calyx is considered            of purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to RHS Greyed            Purple 183 C or RHS Greyed Purple 187 B) color, and light            green near the base (RHS Yellow Green 144 A to RHS Yellow            Green 144 B).        -   Ovary.—Pubescence. — Absent.        -   Sepals.—Surface texture. — The outer surface has a short,            fine pubescent texture. Size. — Medium. Length. — Between            5.0 and 6.0 millimeters. Width. — Between 4.0 and 5.0            millimeters. Form. — Conic with a round tip. Color. — Both            sides of sepals are colored with a matt red (RHS Greyed            Purple 183 A to RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Grey Purple            187 B).        -   Anthers.—Generally. — Medium in length. Color. — At an early            stage of maturity, anthers are colored with an orange yellow            (RHS Yellow Orange 16 A to RHS Yellow Orange 16 B) or an            orange red color (RHS Red Group N 34 A or RHS Greyed Red            Group 178 A). The color may evolve with maturity to turn in            a yellow color.        -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has an orange            yellow color (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to RHS            Yellow Orange 17 C) which may evolve with maturity. The            present variety is considered auto-fertile            (self-pollinating).        -   Filaments/stamens.—Generally. — Stamens are fertile. Size. —            Medium length, between 10.0 and 16.0 millimeters in length.            Stamens length is generally the same or slightly higher than            the pistil's length. Generally, the stamens are positioned            below the petals, i.e. stamens are shorter than petals.        -   Color.—Considered white (RHS White N 155 D) or red purple            (RHS Red Purple 62 C to RHS Red Purple 62 D). The color            becomes darker during the blooming. Average number of            stamens per flower. — Between 44 and 48 stamens per flower.        -   Pistil.—Number. — Usually 1. Generally. — Average in size.            Length. — Approximately 19.0 to 21.0 millimeters including            the ovary. Generally equal to stamens length, if not            slightly smaller. Generally, the pistils are positioned at            same level as stamens. Color. — Considered a very pale green            (RHS Yellow Green Group 151 D). The color evolves during the            blooming, becoming more light (RHS Yellow Green Group 150 D)            and sometimes very slightly pink (RHS Red Group 36D) at the            end of blooming.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm in ripe conditions            (shipping ripe).        -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 7, 2011.        -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly            with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘NECTARANGEL’            variety has a medium to late date of picking, and a grouped            maturity. The maturity is grouped generally within about 10            days and the harvest is generally performed in two runs.            Last known picking times carry on from July 7 to Jul. 16,            2011, then from July 23 to Jul. 30, 2012, and then from            August 4 to Aug. 15, 2013.        -   Size.—Generally. — Homogeneous in size. Considered large to            very large.        -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 68.0 to 74.0            millimeters.        -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 64.0 to 75.0            millimeters.        -   Typical weight.—Generally about 183.0 to 220.0 grams. This            characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing            cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly            distinctive of the variety.        -   Fruit form.—Generally. — Round. The fruit is generally            uniform in symmetry, viewed from the suture's plane.        -   Suture.—        -   Fruit suture.—Wide-mouthed and slightly marked, extending            from the base to the apex. No apparent callousing or            stitching exists along the suture line. Not pointed. Color —            The suture has generally a similar color to the whole fruit            color, a luminous purple red (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A).        -   Ventral surface.—Form. — Smooth.        -   Apex.—Non-prominent, small and generally slightly depressed.        -   Base.—Semi-flared, shallow.        -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 10.0            to 12.0 millimeters. Average width is about 15.0            millimeters.        -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. — Considered very thick and strong,            and the adherence of skin to flesh is strong to medium,            depending on the fruit maturity. Texture. — Smooth. Taste. —            Semi-sweet, with a high level of sugars. Tendency to crack.            — None observed.        -   Color.—Blush color. — This blush color is a luminous purple            red (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A). The purple red blush covers            95% of the fruit skin surface on a red background (RHS Red            45 A) on approximately 5% of the fruit skin surface. The            percentage of the blush on the fruit skin surface can vary,            and is generally dependant upon the prevailing conditions            under which the fruit was grown. Ground color. — The ground            color covers approximately 5% of the fruit skin surface, and            is considered red (RHS Red 45 A).        -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 11.0            millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A to RHS Yellow            Green 145 B).        -   Flesh.—Ripens. — Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a            long shelf life. Texture. — Very firm, very dense, crunchy,            melting, juicy at harvest maturity stage. Fibers. — Not            fibrous. Aroma. — Pronounced. Eating quality — Considered            very good, aromatic and with a high level of sugars. Flavor.            — Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is generally superior to            12 and acidity comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. Juice.            — Very juicy at complete maturity. Brix. — Generally 13.0 to            15.0 degrees. This characteristic varies slightly with the            number of fruit per tree; prevailing cultural practices; and            the surrounding climatic conditions. Flesh color. — The            flesh is white (RHS White 155 D), usually with a slightly            red pigmentation (RHS Red 46 A) into the stone cavity and in            a star shape around the stone cavity.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone, more or less adherent depending on the            fruit maturity.        -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the variety. The stone            size varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor,            crop load and prevailing growing conditions.        -   Length.—Approximately 35.0 to 37 millimeters. Width:            Approximately 23.0 to 24.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 17.0 to 19.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Elliptic.        -   Base.—Straight.        -   Apex.—Shape. — The stone apex is short and pointed.        -   Stone cavity.—Considered medium to large size, with an            ovate-form and dimensions corresponding to the stone's            dimensions.        -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. — The pit is transversely            furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced            toward the apex. The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief            is prominent generally and present basally. Ridges. — The            surface texture is generally characterized by more prominent            ridges along the ventral edges and is more prominent at the            apical tip.        -   Ventral edge.—Width. — Considered very prominent, and having            a dimension of approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters at            mid-suture.        -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. — Grooved.        -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally            considered light orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 B to            RHS Greyed Orange 164 C or RHS Greyed Orange 165 C).        -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is very low or absent,            depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and            stone hardening.        -   Kernel.—Size. — The kernel is considered medium. Length. —            Between 17.0 to 19.0 millimeters. Width. — Approximately            11.0 millimeters. Thickness. — Approximately 3.0 to 4.0            millimeters. Form. — Considered flattened and elliptic.            Pellicle. — The pellicle of the kernel has a short            pubescence. Color. — The kernel skin is orange-brown colored            (RHS Greyed Orange 164 A or RHS Greyed Orange 165 B). The            almond, which is the seed of the kernel, is cream white (RHS            Orange White 159 D) and has a bitter tasting. The kernel and            its embryo are mature at the time of fruit maturity.        -   Use.—The subject variety ‘NECTARANGEL’ is considered to be a            white nectarine tree of the medium to late season of            maturity, and which produces fruits that are considered            firm, attractively colored with a very luminous purple red.            Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and are excellent for            uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when at full            maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative qualities. Due to            their flesh quality, firmness and density, they can also be            commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or            fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for            both local and very long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation            and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth            completion and after harvesting without alteration. After            growth completion, fruits are preserved more than one week.            After harvest, fruits are well preserved more than 4 weeks            at 2.0 degree Celsius.        -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new            white nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh            or skin damage after being subjected to normal harvesting            and packing procedures. Its resistance to handling during            harvest and packing and its long shelf life without            alteration after harvest easily permit 3 to 4 weeks-shipping            at 2 degrees Celsius.        -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very            sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and            decay due to its thick and strong skin.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should beunderstood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristicsincident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pestcontrol and horticultural management are to be expected.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree asillustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eatingquality and very long shelf life without alteration before and afterharvesting, with a semi-sweet white flesh, with a slightly redpigmentation into the stone cavity and a star-shaped red pigmentationaround the stone cavity, and an attractive luminous and homogenous skinwith a very high percentage of purple red blush on skin surface, on ared background.